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EPI in Dogs. Knowing the symptoms
could save your dog's life. If your dog has loose stools that just won't
get better, it could be EPI.

Bloat is a very serious health risk for many dogs, yet
many dog owners know very little about it. According to the links
below, it is the second leading killer of dogs, after cancer. It
is frequently reported that deep-chested dogs, such as German Shepherds, Great
Danes, and Dobermans are particularly at risk. This page
provides links to information on bloat and summarizes some of the key points we
found in the sites we researched. Although we have summarized information
we found about possible symptoms, causes, methods of prevention, and breeds at
risk, we cannot attest to the accuracy. Please consult with your
veterinarian for medical information.

If you believe your dog is experiencing bloat,
please get your dog to a veterinarian immediately! Bloat can kill in less
than an hour, so time is of the essence. Call your vet to alert
them you're on your way with a suspected bloat case. Better to be safe
than sorry!

The technical name for bloat is "Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus"
("GDV"). Bloating of the stomach is often related to swallowed
air (although food and fluid can also be present). It usually happens when there's an abnormal accumulation of air,
fluid, and/or foam in the stomach ("gastric dilatation").
Stress can be a significant contributing factor also. Bloat can occur with or without "volvulus" (twisting). As
the stomach swells, it may rotate 90° to 360°, twisting between its fixed
attachments at the esophagus (food tube) and at the duodenum (the upper
intestine). The twisting stomach traps air, food, and water in the stomach. The bloated stomach obstructs veins in the abdomen,
leading to low blood pressure, shock, and damage to internal organs. The
combined effect can quickly kill a dog.

Be prepared! Know in advance what you would do if
your dog bloated.

If your regular vet doesn't have 24-hour emergency
service, know which nearby vet you would use. Keep the phone number
handy.

Always keep a product with
simethicone
on hand (e.g., Mylanta Gas (not regular Mylanta), Gas-X, etc.) in case your
dog has gas. If you can reduce or slow the gas, you've probably bought
yourself a little more time to get to a vet if your dog is bloating.

This information
is not intended to replace advice
or guidance from veterinarians or other pet care professionals. It is
simply being shared as an aid to assist you with your own research on this very
serious problem.

Typical symptoms often include some (but not
necessarily all) of the following, according to the links below.
Unfortunately, from the onset of the first symptoms you have very little time
(sometimes minutes, sometimes hours) to get immediate medical attention for your
dog. Know your dog and know when it's not acting right.

Attempts to vomit (usually unsuccessful); may occur
every 5-30 minutes

This seems to be one of the most common symptoms & has been
referred to as the "hallmark symptom"

"Unsuccessful vomiting" means
either nothing comes up or possibly just foam and/or mucous comes up

Some have reported that it can sound like a
repeated cough New

Doesn't act like usual self

Perhaps the earliest warning sign and may be the only sign that
almost always occurs

We've had several reports that dogs who
bloated asked to go outside in the middle of the night. If this is
combined with frequent attempts to vomit, and if your dog doesn't typically
ask to go outside in the middle of the night, bloat is a very real possibility.

Significant anxiety and restlessnessOne of the earliest warning signs and seems fairly typical

According to the links below, it is thought that the
following may be the primary contributors to bloat. To calculate a dog's
lifetime risk of bloat according to Purdue University's School of Veterinary
Medicine,
click here.

Stress

Dog shows, mating, whelping, boarding, change in
routine, new dog in household, etc.Although purely anecdotal, we've heard of too many cases
where a dog bloated after another dog (particularly a 3rd dog) was brought into the household; perhaps
due to stress regarding pack order.

Activities that result in gulping air

Eating habits, especially...

Elevated food bowls

Rapid eating

Eating dry foods that contain citric acid as a
preservative (the risk is even worse if the owner moistens the food)

Some of the advice in the links below for reducing the
chances of bloat are:

Avoid highly stressful situations. If you can't
avoid them, try to minimize the stress as much as possible. Be extra
watchful.Can be brought on by visits to the vet, dog shows, mating, whelping, boarding,
new dog in household, change in routine, etc.Revised

Do not use an elevated food bowl

Do not exercise for at least an hour (longer if
possible) before
and especially after eatingParticularly avoid vigorous exercise and don't permit your dog to roll over, which could
cause the stomach to twist

Do not permit rapid eating

Feed 2 or 3 meals daily, instead of just one

Do not give water one hour before or after a mealIt dilutes the gastric juices necessary for proper
digestion, which leads to gas production.

Promote an acidic environment in the intestineSome
recommend 1-2 Tbs of Aloe Vera Gel or 1 Tbs of apple cider vinegar given right
after each meal

Promote "friendly" bacteria in the intestine,
e.g. from "probiotics" such as supplemental acidophilusAvoids fermentation of carbohydrates, which can cause gas
quickly.
This is especially a concern when antibiotics are given since antibiotics tend to reduce levels of "friendly" bacteria.
[Note: Probiotics should be given at least 2-4 hours apart from antibiotics so
they won't be destroyed.]New

Don't permit excessive, rapid drinkingEspecially a consideration on hot days

And perhaps most importantly, know your dog well so
you'll know when your dog just isn't acting normally.

Information
written by GlobalSpan.net using the references above. Although we have summarized information we found from the
links, we cannot attest to the accuracy. Please consult with your
veterinarian for medical information.
We have a deep-chested dog who has never experienced bloat. We hope he
never will. Please share this link with any who
might benefit.

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